Firm led by state senator paid an extra $15,000 for Jersey City Parking Authority study

A state law firm has paid an additional $15,000 for a Jersey City Parking Authority study.Journal File Photo

Weiner Lesniak, the politically connected law firm that won a $20,000, no-bid contract from Jersey City to prepare a 17-page study on the dissolution of the Jersey City Parking Authority, got another $15,000 from the city.

A resolution approved by the City Council gave the extra cash to Weiner Lesniak because of the “complexity” of its study of the city agency. The move would bring the total amount for this contract to $35,000.

Last year, the firm produced the study (215 pages, including exhibits), which suggests there are few downsides to abolishing the JCPA but eight benefits, including the possibility of installing more modern parking technology. Mayor Steve Fulop pledged during his campaign for mayor last year to explore dissolving autonomous agencies and folding their operations into city government. So far, he’s only taken action with the JCPA, which may soon see its functions performed by the Public Safety Department.

A resolution to dissolve the Parking Authority was tabled for further study by the City Council.

Weiner Lesniak — headed by state Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union — won another no-bid contract from Jersey City to represent it in the city’s planned $400 million lawsuit against the Port Authority. Fulop announced his intentions to sue the bi-state agency in November, but the suit has yet to be filed.